Catholic Charities of Spokane keeps hundreds off the street

Some of you may already know that Catholic Charities of Spokane has its fingers in a little bit of everything. It’s not just an administrative building down there by the hospitals. It’s a crucial part of Spokane’s history, and it’s future. It began in 1912 as the Catholic Social Betterment League and changed its name in the 40s as more parishes became involved. Today, just like the Catholic Diocese of Spokane, the agency serves 13 counties in Eastern Washington. Catholic Charities provides low-income senior housing to our older community (and our low-income disabled community), provides food and shelter to Spokane’s homeless community, helps young, single mothers, provides childcare and helps poor men, women and families transition to a better life. You’ve probably driven by some of their senior housing units a dozen times:

O’Malley Apartments (99 units)

Fahy Gardens and Fahy West Apartments (a total of 86 units)

Cathedral Plaza (150 units)

Delaney Apartments (84 units) (Oh, and did you know there’s an old jail cell in the basement?!)

Finally,if you’ve been to the Spokane Public Market, then you’ve seen the House of Charity. On average 350 people walk through the doors there to sleep, shower, do laundry, pick up mail, store their things and eat. And at night about 100 men sleep there.

A few blocks away, Catholic Charities takes care of homeless women and children at St. Margaret’s Shelter where 18 families are working to get back on their feet.

According to my calculations, that means without Catholic Charities of Spokane we’d have a least 600 more people sleeping under bridges here.

The organization has lots of other notable programs as well, including St. Anne’s Children and Family Center, counseling services and childbirth and parenting assistance.

When the Religion News Spokane site launches in a few months, I’m sure that Catholic Charities will keep this religion reporter very busy!

About Tracy Simmons

Tracy Simmons is the executive director of SpokaneFAVS. She holds a BS in print journalism and an MA in communication from Eastern New Mexico University and has won several journalism awards. She also teaches as an adjunct instructor at Gonzaga University and Spokane Falls Community College.